CN112514535A

CN112514535A - Self-baking electrode

Info

Publication number: CN112514535A
Application number: CN201980048560.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·贝克尔; S·鲍尔
Original assignee: Rheinfelden Carbon & CoKg GmbH
Current assignee: Rhine Verden An Der Aller Carbon Products Co ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-04
Filing date: 2019-06-03
Publication date: 2021-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-03
Also published as: CA3102345A1; BR112020024645A2; CN112514535B; EA202092994A1; EP3804464A1; US11606847B2; WO2019233955A1; US20210235556A1; AU2019282028A1; WO2019233549A1

Abstract

The inventive device for self-baking electrodes comprises an electrode (1), said electrode (1) having: at least three zones, namely a first zone (4) with uncoked carbonaceous material, a second zone (5) adjacent to the first zone (4) and in which the carbonaceous material is present in the form of a paste or liquid, a third zone (6) adjacent to the second zone (5) and in which the carbonaceous material is present in the form of coking, and a cylindrical shell (2) surrounding at least the first (4) and second (5) zones. The apparatus further comprises: a tube (7) or (7a) and an extendable holding element (100) for taking up tensile forces, the tube (7) or (7a) being able to be raised and lowered in the vertical direction (y) and extending at least partially inside the cylindrical housing (2), passing through the first two zones (4), (5) and terminating or opening out into the third zone (6) above the third zone (6), the extendable holding element (100) extending partially inside the tube (7), (7a) and partially outside the tube (7), (7a), wherein a first end (101) of the holding element is detachably connectable with the fastening element (11) and a second end (102) of the holding element opens out into the third zone (6) and is anchored in the third zone (6).

Description

Self-baking electrode

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for self-baking electrodes and also to a method for operating the device.

Background

Self-baking electrode (called Sodberg)

Electrodes) can be traced back to the beginning of the 20 th century. The term soderberg electrode refers to a self-baking or self-calcining electrode having the following technical principle: electrode materials (both massive and solid at room temperature) comprising carbon carriers such as anthracite, petroleum coke, graphite and hard coal tar pitch binders melt at 120 ℃ + 200 ℃ due to the energy and process heat generated by electricity and form liquid to pasty uncoked materials. At 500 ℃ and above 500 ℃, the electrode material is converted to a solid state, i.e., a coked state, and its electrical resistance is reduced. At the electrode tip, which is surrounded by a plasma or an electric arc, the electrode mass is present in a graphitized state at temperatures above 2000 ℃. The electrode technology is mainly used in electric arc furnaces, for example for reducing iron-based alloys. The soderberg electrode for a smelting reduction furnace for the production of silicon comprises a cylindrical shell in the form of a sheet metal shell, wherein a continuously extendable graphite electrode, correspondingly smaller than, i.e. having a smaller diameter than, the sheet metal shell, is carried inside the sheet metal shell. The sheet metal housing is continuously filled with electrode material, for example in the form of pellets. In order to compensate for the loss of the sheet metal shell due to burning, a further sheet metal shell is welded on and the shell is displaced in the vertical direction. Main functionThe graphite electrode, which is holding the Sodberg material, can be moved up and down in the vertical direction inside the sheet metal housing. The electrode material is moved inside the metal plate casing by the downward movement of the graphite electrode. Graphite electrodes are continuously elongated by joining individual graphite electrode sheets together. The region where a graphite electrode sheet abuts and is connected to another graphite electrode sheet is referred to as a tab region. The electrode portion consumed by the reduction process (referred to as electrode burn-out) is elongated by so-called displacement and elongation of the graphite electrode. The energy input, which can form a baked and electrically conductive electrode from the electrode mass, comes on the one hand from the process heat of the furnace and on the other hand from the current introduced into the housing via the contact jaws. The use of graphite electrodes, which extend in the core of the actual soderberg electrode, correspondingly retaining the electrode material and also contributing to the transmission of the electrical current due to good electrical conductivity, has been established as a conventional technique for producing silicon metal for many years. The term composite technology is used in this context.

However, it has been found that a problem associated with soderberg electrodes having graphite electrodes in the core is the high thermal conductivity of graphite. Heat transport inside the graphite electrode results in a large temperature gradient between the electrode surface and the middle of the electrode. Therefore, the displacement, i.e., the relative movement, of the electrode material to the sheet metal housing sometimes becomes difficult. Furthermore, it is ensured that the graphite electrode is arranged centrally, since otherwise an uneven current distribution would lead to an asymmetrical baking and to mechanical stresses associated therewith, which would have an adverse effect on the material properties of the self-baked electrode. In this case, the occurrence of undesirable electrode breakage increases. Furthermore, the tab region constitutes a weak point in the graphite electrode, which likewise promotes electrode fracture.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least one of the disadvantages known in the prior art.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

The inventive device for self-baking electrodes comprises a tube which can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction (y) and an extendable holding element for taking up tensile forces, wherein the electrode has at least three zones, namely a first zone with uncoked carbon-containing material, a second zone adjoining the first zone and in which the carbon-containing material is present in the form of paste-like to liquid, and a third zone adjoining the second zone and in which the carbon-containing material is present in the form of char. The retaining member is an extendable rigid member, such as a rod, or an extendable flexible member, such as a cord. Both elements are at least partly made of a heat resistant material having a heat resistance of at least 1000 ℃. As the material, for example, high heat resistant steel or a carbon fiber-based material is used. At least the first and second regions of the electrode are surrounded by a cylindrical housing. The tube extends partially inside the cylindrical shell, passes through the first and second zones and terminates above the third zone. The holding element extends partly inside the tube and partly outside the tube. The first end of the holding element can be detachably connected to the fastening element, and the second end of the holding element opens into the third region and is anchored therein.

The tube is used to exert a pushing force or pressure on the carbonaceous material. It can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction. In this way, the carbonaceous material can move relative to the cylindrical shell. This process is called shifting. For this purpose, the tube has suitable means which make this vertical movement possible. These means are connected to the construction equipment structure surrounding the apparatus of the invention. The means are for example two clamping rings which, viewed in the vertical direction, are arranged opposite each other and are connected to each other by means of displacement hydraulics, for example a shifting cylinder. The first clamping ring is referred to as the upper clamping ring and the second clamping ring, which is located below the first clamping ring, viewed in the vertical direction, is referred to as the lower clamping ring. The pipe extends inside the two clamping rings and is clamped by these clamping rings. The shift can be described as follows: the lower of the two clamping rings is opened and the upper clamping ring clamps the tube in place and is hydraulically lowered in the direction of the lower clamping ring. The lower clamp ring is closed and secures the pipe clamp. The upper clamping ring is opened and hydraulically moved upwards to its starting position.

The tube is preferably sized so that displacement can be performed using existing equipment originally used for graphite electrodes. During the displacement, the tube moves vertically inside the first and second zones, but not inside the third zone, because in the third zone the tube will stick into the (einbacken) carbonaceous material. The tubing is pressed against the third zone.

In an exemplary embodiment, a terminal element that facilitates the displacement process is provided at one end of the tube that terminates above the third zone.

In a further embodiment of the device of the invention, a catch is provided on the section of the tube extending inside the cylindrical housing that presses against the first zone of the electrode when the tube is lowered. During displacement, the driver facilitates movement of the carbonaceous material relative to the cylindrical housing. The driver is designed in such a way that the block-shaped carbon-containing material can be filled continuously and unimpededly. An exemplary embodiment is a star-like arrangement of individual entraining elements on the outside of the tube. According to an embodiment, only one catch or one end element or both can be provided on the tube.

In a further embodiment of the device of the invention, the tube is provided with openings or perforations, such as holes or slits. In this way, the Sodebo material can enter the interior of the tube. This is particularly useful when the tube (preferably made of aluminium) reaches into the zone 3 and is used for displacement (pressing). In this case, no catch is required. The tube must then be able to be extended continuously, so that no catch for assisting the displacement process needs to be installed.

In one embodiment of the device of the invention, the tube is arranged concentrically with respect to the cylindrical housing of the electrode. This arrangement is ideal for distribution of tensile and compressive forces.

In an exemplary embodiment, the tube is made of metal, for example steel. The passage into the third zone should be avoided as this would lead to the introduction of detrimental iron.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the tube is made of a non-ferrous metal, for example made of aluminum (and opens into the third zone).

The second function of the tube is to protect an extendable holding element extending partially inside the tube. This is particularly applicable to the first zone where the carbonaceous material is present in an uncoked form. By "uncoked" is meant that the carbonaceous material is present in particular in the form of lumps, for example in the form of briquettes, which are added continuously as is customary in the Sodberg technique. In particular in this region, the retaining element would otherwise be subjected to high mechanical stresses. In an exemplary embodiment, the retaining element is at least partially made of carbon fiber. Carbon fibers are generally sensitive to shearing and bending movements and therefore need to be effectively protected against frictional and impact stresses which occur in particular in the first zone. The tube performs this protective function. The holding element is used first for holding the electrodes. The holding element bears several tons of electrode weight. Furthermore, heat resistance of 1000 ℃ and above 1000 ℃ is to be ensured, since the holding element otherwise cannot perform the necessary holding function.

In addition to the tube, the apparatus of the invention also comprises an extendable holding element as described above for taking up the tensile force. The first end of the holding element is detachably connected to the fastening element. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening element is configured as a pin, from which the retaining element can be suspended, or as a clip, in which the retaining element can be clamped. The second end of the holding element opens into the third region. Here, the carbonaceous material is present in the form of char, i.e. in solid form. The region of the holding element extending in this region is "glued in", i.e. anchored, here.

In one embodiment, the retaining element is a cord in the form of a fiber composite composed of thermally stable fibers, for example in the form of a woven material, a stretch-loop knit, a formed-loop knit, a braid or a cord having unidirectional fiber orientation or as a combination thereof. In particular embodiments, the cords are preferably of a loosely braided braid so that kinking points and friction can be minimized or eliminated under tensile loading and maximum tensile strength can be achieved.

In a further embodiment, the rope is a woven tube fabric made of carbon fibers, which is formed into loops in an overlapping manner (for example, about 20cm) and stitched with the aid of carbon fiber yarns. The loop element has a loop length optimized for the furnace and the user (a loop length of 4m then corresponds to an extension of the electrode suspension of 2 m). In one embodiment, the cord comprises a plurality of loops connected to each other. The second turn passes through the first turn. Between the first turn and the second turn there is a contact area dividing the second turn into a first turn portion and a second turn portion. The third turn passes through both turn portions of the second turn. Between the second turn and the third turn there is a contact area (etc.) dividing the third turn into a first turn portion and a second turn portion. In this way, the rope can be continuously and inexhaustibly lengthened.

In further embodiments, the contact region (or regions) is/are coated with a synthetic fiber composite (e.g., a woven material, a stretch-knit fabric, a formed loop knit, a braid, or with unidirectional fiber orientation or as a combination thereof) as a sheath between successive loops to protect the contact region and improve the elasticity of the loop chain. Synthetic fibres, for example, such as

Poly (p-phenylene terephthalamide),

(aramids made from m-phenylenediamine and isophthalic acid),

Aramid and/or para-aramid fibers of Technora, Teijinconex, such as phenol-formaldehyde fibers of Kynol, polyamide/polyimide fibers such as Kermel, polybenzimidazole fibers or fiber blends thereof.

In further embodiments, one or more additional holding points (as anchors in the Sodberg material) may be created in the loop chain at regular or irregular intervals, for example, 10cm to 30 cm. For this purpose, short carbon fiber parts, for example rope segments or ropes, which are provided with knots at the ends, are woven into the loops or through the loops. In an exemplary arrangement, the short carbon fiber sections are connected together as cross members at a pitch of about 20 cm. In further exemplary embodiments, the carbon fiber portion has a length in a range of 15cm to 40cm, and a diameter in a range of 10mm to 20 mm.

Thickening occurs in the contact region, since the two loop portions are connected to the other loop. This thickening has been found to be advantageous for anchoring the retaining element in the carbonaceous material, in particular in the third zone.

In another embodiment, the retaining element is a rod comprising a plurality of individual rod elements operatively connected to each other. The rod elements are connected into a rod by an operative connection at an end thereof. In this way, the rod is continuously extended. An operable connection is understood to be, for example, a screw connection or a plug connection.

In the method of the invention for operating the apparatus of the invention, the carbonaceous material of the three zones is moved relative to the shell in a first step by a vertical lowering movement of the pipe. This step is repeated periodically until the tube reaches the end of the second zone. The load on the holding element is then reduced by reducing the tensile force acting on the holding element, after which the holding element is lengthened and the lengthened holding element is fixed by means of the fastening element. A pulling force is then applied to the elongated holding element and the tube is lifted until it is again inside the first zone. The first step is then carried out again.

In a preferred variant of the method according to the invention, the elongation of the holding element is carried out by elongating the end of the holding element that can be connected to the fastening element by connection with at least one further loop or with at least one further bar element.

Drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail below with the aid of embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. These figures show that:

fig. 1 schematically shows a partial cross-section (longitudinal section) through a self-baking electrode with a device according to the invention, wherein the holding element is configured as a string and the tube is equipped with a catch.

Fig. 2a schematically shows a part of the holding element and its construction consisting of individual loops.

Fig. 2b schematically shows a separate loop of the holding element provided with a part of the carbon fibers inserted through and a sheath in the contact area.

Fig. 3 schematically shows a partial cross-section (longitudinal section) through a self-baking electrode with a device according to the invention, wherein the holding element is configured as a rod with individual rod elements and the tube is equipped with a driver.

Fig. 4 schematically shows a partial cross-section (longitudinal section) through a self-baking electrode with a device according to the invention, wherein the holding element is configured as a string and the tube (without catch) is perforated.

Detailed Description

In fig. 1 a partial cross-sectional view of a self-baking electrode with a device according to the invention is schematically shown. The electrode 1 comprises a cylindrical shell 2 in the form of a sheet metal shell, which cylindrical shell 2 is continuously filled with lumpy carbonaceous material (briquettes). Means 9 enabling the housing to be moved in a vertical direction are arranged on the cylindrical housing 2. This is called housing displacement. These means are connected to the construction equipment structure (not visible in fig. 1) surrounding the apparatus of the invention. The means are for example two housing clamping rings 91 and 92, which two housing clamping rings 91 and 92 are arranged opposite each other seen in the vertical direction and are connected to each other by means of displacement hydraulics, for example a shifting cylinder 93. The first shell clamp ring 91 is referred to as an upper shell clamp ring 91, and the second shell clamp ring 92 located below the first shell clamp ring as viewed in the vertical direction is referred to as a lower shell clamp ring 92. The cylindrical housing 2, i.e. the sheet metal shell, extends inside the two shell clamping rings 91, 92 and is held clamped by these shell clamping rings. The housing displacement is performed by an alternating opening of the housing clamping rings 91, 92 and a corresponding vertical movement triggered by a displacement hydraulic device, i.e. a displacement cylinder 93. The housing displacement can be described as follows: the lower of the two outer shell clamping rings 92 is opened and the upper outer shell clamping ring 91 grips the cylindrical housing 2 in a clamping manner along the lower outer shell clamping ring 92The direction is hydraulically lowered. The lower clamping ring 92 is closed and grips the cylindrical housing 2 clampingly. The upper shell grip ring 91 is opened and hydraulically moved up to its starting position. Electrical energy is supplied to the electrode 1 via a so-called contact claw 3 which is also arranged on the cylindrical housing 2. The thermal energy emitted by the molten material is used as an additional energy source. As a result of the energy input, the lumpy carbonaceous material (also referred to as non-coked soderberg material) transforms into a pasty to liquid state and then into a solid state. The solid state is also known as coked Sodberg material. This is shown in simplified form in fig. 1 as three

zones

4, 5 and 6. The first zone 4 comprises uncoked carbonaceous material. In the second zone 5, the material is present in a paste-like to liquid form and in the third zone 6 in a coked form. The zone 6 is only partially shown in fig. 1. This zone is the region of the electrode 1 immersed in the reaction zone of the furnace (not visible in fig. 1). In the reaction zone of the furnace, ore (SiO)₂) Reduced to metallic silicon by the addition of carbon (e.g., charcoal, low ash coal, and wood chips). The required electrical energy (arc or plasma) is introduced by the electrode 1. The electrode 1 is consumed in the process.

The tube 7 is shown in fig. 1. The tube 7 is arranged partly outside the electrode (region 71) and partly inside the electrode (region 72). The section of the tube 7 arranged in the region 72 passes through the first zone 4 and the second zone 5. The pipe 7 does not reach the third zone 6, in which zone 6 the carbon is present in the form of coked and therefore solid. In the embodiment schematically shown in fig. 1, the tube 7 is arranged concentrically with the cylindrical housing 2.

In fig. 1, it can also be seen that the holding element 100, which is designed as a cable 10, extends partially within the tube 7. The tube 7 protects the holding element 100 configured as a cord 10 from mechanical damage, in particular in the first zone 4 of the electrode, in which first zone 4 the carbonaceous material is present in the form of non-coked material, often in the form of a block of material with sharp edges. In contrast to the tube 7, the second end 102 of the holding element 100, which is no longer surrounded by the tube 7, opens into the third region 6 of the electrode. The second end 102 is fixed there in the coked carbonaceous material, i.e. "glued in" (the second end 102 of the retaining element 100 is not fully visible in fig. 1). A first end 101 of the holding element, opposite to the second end 102, is detachably connected with the fastening element 11. The fastening element 11 is, for example, a clamping device or a pin 110 as schematically shown in fig. 1, the holding element 100 configured as a rope 10 being suspended on the pin 110, and the holding element 100 configured as a rope 10 being detachable again from the pin 110. The holding element 100 serves firstly to take up the tensile force and to hold the electrode 1.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the retaining element 100 configured as a cord 10 comprises a plurality of interlocking loops 13. The first holding-element end 101, which is configured as a first loop 13, is suspended from the pin 10. The holding element 100 constructed as a cord 10 is continuously extendable by connecting the loop 13 with the second loop 13 and the second loop 13 with the third loop 13 (and so on). The loop 13 is configured as a closed loop. Each ring is made of carbon fiber. A preferred embodiment of the loops 13 and the possibility of connecting the individual loops 13 to each other are shown in fig. 2a and 2 b.

In a region 71 of the tube 7 extending outside the electrode, a device 8 for vertically moving the tube 7 is provided. These means are connected to the construction equipment structure (not visible in fig. 1) surrounding the apparatus of the invention.

Such means 8 are for example two clamping rings 81, 82, which clamping rings 81, 82 are arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction and are connected to each other by a displacement cylinder 83. The first clamping ring 81 is referred to as the upper clamping ring and the second clamping ring located below the first clamping ring, viewed in the vertical direction, is referred to as the lower clamping ring 82. The pipe extends inside the two clamping rings 81, 82 and is held clamped by these clamping rings. The shift can be described as follows: the lower clamping ring 82 of the two clamping rings is opened and the upper clamping ring 81 grips the pipe clampingly and is lowered hydraulically in the direction of the lower clamping ring 82. The lower clamping ring 82 is closed and grips the pipe 7 clampingly. The upper clamping ring 81 is opened and hydraulically moved upwards to its starting position.

When the device 8 is activated, the tube 7 moves within the non-coked carbonaceous material of the first zone 4 and the pasty-to-liquid material of the second zone 5 and exerts a corresponding thrust and/or pressure on the third zone 6 in the process. During the reduction, the coked carbonaceous material from the third zone 6 is consumed. The same applies to the holding element 100, in particular to the region of the holding element extending in the third region 6. By displacement, a continuous supply of coked carbonaceous material is carried out, which is continuously consumed by continuous electrode burn-off. To support the displacement process, a driver 12 is optionally provided on the outside of the tube 7, which driver 12 presses against the uncoked carbonaceous material of the first zone 4 when the tube 6 moves vertically. The retaining element 100 is continuously extendable. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the loop 13 forming the first end 101 of the holding element 100 is detached from the pin 110 and connected with a further loop 13, which further loop 13 is then suspended again on the pin 110. In this way, the holding member 100 is continuously elongated as needed.

Fig. 2a shows parts of a holding element 100, which holding element 100 is formed from individual loops 13 of the cable 10 connected to one another. In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, each of the loops 13 is configured as a closed loop. An exemplary material for the loops 13 is a woven material composed of carbon fibers. A third zone 6 consisting of a coked solid soderberg material is schematically shown. In this third zone, the second holding element end 102 is fixed, i.e. "glued in". In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the second retaining element end 102 comprises two

loops

13A and 13B. The two turns 13A and 13B are connected to each other by a third turn 13C. Here, the third turn 13C passes through the two

turns

13A and 13B. A contact area 130 is created between the two

turns

13A and 13B and the third turn 13C. As shown in fig. 2, the loop 13C then includes a first loop portion 13C' and a second loop portion 13C ". The next loop 13D passes through both loop portions. Contact areas 131 are then created between the first turn portion 13C, the second turn portion 13C "and the turns 13D. The loop 13D includes a first loop portion 13D' and a second loop portion 13D ". The next turn 13E (indicated by the dashed arrow in fig. 2) passes through the first turn portion 13D' and the second turn portion 13D ". A contact region 132 is created between the two hoop sections 13D' and 13D ". The loop 13E comprises a first loop portion 13E 'and a second loop portion 13E ", and the next loop 13F (no longer visible in fig. 2a) passes through the first loop portion 13E' and the second loop portion 13E". Depending on the desired length, the holding element 100 comprises a certain number of turns connected to each other in the manner described above. In the embodiment of the holding element 100 shown in fig. 2a, as used in the device of the invention, the second holding element end 102 is formed by two

loops

13A and 13B, which two

loops

13A and 13B are connected by a third loop 13C. It is conceivable to use a further anchoring element, for example a hook, instead of the two

loops

13A and 13B, by means of which the second retaining element end 102 is anchored in the coked soderberg material. In a preferred embodiment, the second retaining element end 102 (not visible in fig. 2) is configured in the same manner as the loop 13D shown, for example, in fig. 2 a. The two loop portions 13D' and 13D "are suspended from the pin 10 (see fig. 1) and form the ends of the holding element 100. Alternatively, an additional further anchoring element, for example also a hook, can be provided between the loop portions and the pin 10, which connects the two loop portions to the pin.

Fig. 2b shows an enlarged view of a loop 13D (according to fig. 2a) with loop portions 13D' and 13D ″ and their

contact areas

131 and 132 with

loop

13C or 13E. The contact region 131 is provided with a covering layer or sheath 134 consisting of a fiber composite material. The loop 13D is provided with an additional holding point 133, which additional holding point 133 is in the form of a carbon fibre portion with a knot at the end.

Fig. 3 shows the illustration of fig. 1, with the difference that the holding element 100 is designed as a rod 20 made up of individual rod elements 21. The rod (20) may be extended by juxtaposition of rod elements (21) as required. The rod element (21) is effectively connected at its ends, for example by means of a plug or screw connection.

The first end 101 of the holding element comprises a fastening device 11, which fastening device 11 is configured in the embodiment of fig. 3 as an example as a clip in which the end of the rod element (21) can be clamped (the clip is not visible in fig. 3).

Fig. 4 shows the representation of fig. 1, with the difference that the tube 7a is perforated and no catch is provided on the outside of the tube 7 a. It can also be seen that the tube 7a opens into the third zone 6. The perforations 7b allow uncoked carbonaceous material to enter the interior of the tube 7a, which makes it unnecessary to use a driver (12) as in fig. 1 to exert pressure on the uncoked carbonaceous material in the first zone 4.

List of reference numerals

1 electrode

2 cylindrical shell

3 contact claw

4 first zone (non-coking Sodebo material)

Second zone (Sodberg material from paste to liquid)

Third zone 6 (solid coked Sodeberg material)

7 tube

7a pipe (perforated)

7b perforation

71 tube region outside the electrode

72 tube region inside the electrode

8 device for moving a tube vertically

9 device for vertically displacing a cylindrical housing

10 rope

100 holding element

101 first holding element end

102 second holding element end

11 fastening element

12 driving piece

13A, B, C, D, E circles

13C ', C ", D', D" ring parts

130. 131, 132 contact area

133 holding point

134 sheath

Claims

1. An apparatus for self-baking an electrode (1), the electrode (1) having: at least three zones, namely a first zone (4) with non-coked carbonaceous material, a second zone (5) adjacent to the first zone (4) and in which the carbonaceous material is present in paste-like to liquid form, a third zone (6) adjacent to the second zone (5) and in which the carbonaceous material is present in coked form, a cylindrical shell (2) surrounding at least the first (4) and second (5) zones, the device being characterized by having

A tube (7), (7a), said tube (7), (7a) being able to be raised and lowered in a vertical direction (y) and extending partially inside said cylindrical shell (2), passing through the first two zones (4), (5) and ending above said third zone (6),

an extendable holding element (100) for taking up tensile forces, the extendable holding element (100) extending partially inside the tube (7), (7a) and partially outside the tube (7), (7a), wherein a first end (101) of the holding element can be detachably connected with a fastening element (11) and a second end (102) of the holding element opens into the third region (6) and is anchored in the third region (6).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extendable holding member (100) is an extendable rigid member or an extendable flexible member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the extendable rigid member is a rod (20), the rod (20) being at least partially constructed of a heat resistant material having a heat resistance of at least 1000 ℃.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the extendable, flexible member is a cord (10), the cord (10) being at least partially constructed of a heat resistant material having a heat resistance of at least 1000 ℃.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the cord (10) comprises a plurality of loops (13) and in that contact areas (130), (131), (132) are formed between two successive loops (13).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that each ring (13) is at least partially made of carbon fibre.

7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the contact areas (130), (131), (132) are provided with a jacket (134).

8. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that each ring (13) is provided with an additional holding point (133).

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the additional retaining point (133) is formed in the loop (13) by the braiding or insertion of short carbon fibre portions provided with knots at the ends.

10. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the rod (20) comprises a plurality of rod elements (21) operatively connected to each other, respectively.

11. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the first end (101) of the holding element is configured as a ring (13) or a rod element (21), wherein the ring (13) or the rod element (21) can be detachably connected with the fastening element (11).

12. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (100) can be continuously elongated from its first end (101) by connecting a plurality of individual loops (13) or a plurality of individual bar elements (21).

13. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (100) comprising a plurality of turns (13) connected to each other has a first turn (13A), a second turn (13B) and a third turn (13C), the second turn (13B) passing through the first turn (13A), a contact area being formed between the first turn (13A) and the second turn (13B), the second turn (13B) having a first turn portion (13B ') and a second turn portion (13B "), and the third turn (13C) passing through two turn portions (13B', 13B") of the second turn (13B).

14. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube (7) is unperforated and the tube (7a) is perforated.

15. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tube (7), (7a) is arranged concentrically to the cylindrical housing (2) of the electrode (1).

16. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube (7) is made of metal, preferably steel.

17. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube (7a) is made of a non-ferrous metal or alloy, preferably aluminium.

18. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the end of the tube (7) ending above the third zone (6) there is provided a terminal element which presses against the third zone (6) when the tube (7) is lowered.

19. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the portion of the tube (7) extending inside the cylindrical housing (2) there is provided a catch (12) which presses against the first zone (4) of the electrode (1) when the tube (7) is lowered.

20. A holding element (100) comprising a plurality of turns (13) connected to each other, characterized in that it has a first turn (13A), a second turn (13B) and a third turn (13C), the second turn (13B) passing through the first turn (13A), a contact area being formed between the first turn (13A) and the second turn (13B), the second turn (13B) having a first turn portion (13B ') and a second turn portion (13B "), and the third turn (13C) passing through two turn portions (13B', 13B") of the second turn (13B).

21. The holding element (100) according to claim 14, wherein each of the rings (13A-13C) is at least partially made of carbon fiber.

22. Method for operating a device according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 19, characterized in that

A first step consisting in moving the carbonaceous material of the three zones (4, 5, 6) with respect to the cylindrical shell (2) by means of a vertical lowering movement of the tubes (7), (7a),

periodically repeating said first step until said tube (7) or (7a) has reached the end of said second zone (5) or passed into said third zone (6), and subsequently

Reducing the load on the retaining element (100) by reducing the tensile force acting on the retaining element (100),

extending the holding element (100) and fixing the extended holding element (100) by means of a fastening element (11),

applying a pulling force to the elongated holding element (9'),

lifting said tubes (7), (7a) until said tubes (7), (7a) are again inside said first zone (4),

it is restarted with the first step.

23. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that the elongation of the holding element (100) is performed by elongating the end (101) of the holding element connectable to the fastening element (11) by connection with at least one further loop (13) or with at least one further bar element (21).

24. An electrode (1) comprising a device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 19.